Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) | Bethesda MD, Washington DC, Virginia

Following weight loss or after pregnancy, your abdomen may not have the tight and flat appearance you want. This may be due to either excess skin or weakening of the abdominal wall muscles or a combination of both. A tummy tuck will recontour your midsection by removing the excess skin and tightening the muscle fascia to give the abdomen a toned appearance. Dr. Michaels will often combine a tummy tuck with targeted liposuction to achieve the optimal contour. Many women will have a tummy tuck as part of their mommy makeover.

During your consultation, Dr. Michaels will carefully listen to your concerns and tailor a treatment plan that will allow you to achieve your goals. Dr. Michaels is an expert in body contouring having completed one of the few fellowships dedicated to this specialized area of plastic surgery.

A full tummy tuck involves a low lying incision placed in the pubic region extending from hip to hip. Prior to your procedure, Dr. Michaels will mark your incision either in a bathing suit or underwear to help insure your incision remains hidden. During your procedure, the skin of the abdomen is elevated exposing the underlying abdominal wall muscle fascia. This layer is then tightened with permanent sutures. Your excess skin is then removed and your belly button is re-positioned through a new incision.

If you have poor muscle tone and skin excess limited to the area below your belly button, you may be a good candidates for a mini tummy tuck. This procedure focuses on muscle tightening and skin removal only in the lower abdomen. A mini tummy tuck will often result in a shorter incision and a quicker recovery compared to a full tummy tuck. Dr. Michaels may perform liposuction at the same time to achieve the best contour.

Tummy tucks are performed under general anesthesia and can be performed as an outpatient procedure in select patients. Patients will often have drains following their procedure. Strenuous physical activity will be gradually permitted following your procedure. It often takes 8-12 weeks for the swelling to resolve and for you to realize your final result.

To see if a tummy tuck in North Bethesda can help you achieve the midsection you have always wanted, click here or call 301.468.5991 to schedule a consultation.

Click here to view Tummy Tuck before & after photographs